Cremation and ashes transport

Cremation in Montserrat and bringing ashes home

Cremation facilities are not available in Montserrat. Full body repatriation is required. This page sets out what Montserrat requires, and what to check before you decide.

Send an enquiry Full repatriation guide for Montserrat

Cremation in Montserrat

Can you cremate someone in Montserrat?

Cremation facilities are not available in Montserrat. Full body repatriation is required.

Religious context: Predominantly Protestant Christian. Anglican and Methodist denominations are predominant. Significant Catholic minority.

Weighing cremation abroad against bringing your loved one home intact? How families decide between the two.

Who must release the body

Registrar General's Office (Civil Registration, Government of Montserrat); Royal Montserrat Police Force

Documentation language

English

Airline guidance

Can you carry ashes on the flight home?

Routing out of Montserrat: John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) has limited capacity, ATR turboprop service only to Antigua (ANU) via regional airlines. No jet service to Montserrat. All UK routing goes via Antigua (direct BA to London Gatwick). The southern half of the island (Exclusion Zone) remains off-limits due to the Soufrière Hills volcano.

Departure airports: MNI (John A. Osborne Airport, Brades); connections via Antigua (ANU)

Airline rules that apply on any route.

What affects the cost from Montserrat

We do not publish a figure, because it turns on the specifics of the case. For Montserrat the things that move it are:

Distance from where the death happened to the nearest crematorium
Whether Registrar General's Office (Civil Registration, Government of Montserrat); Royal Montserrat Police Force has to release the case first
Translation, since documentation is in English
Routing home. John A. Osborne Airport (MNI) has limited capacity, ATR turboprop service only to Antigua (ANU) via regional airlines. No jet service to Montserrat. All UK routing goes via Antigua (direct BA to London Gatwick). The southern half of the island (Exclusion Zone) remains off-limits due to the Soufrière Hills volcano.
Whether you carry the ashes yourself or need them shipped

Considering full repatriation instead?

Some families decide they want their loved one brought home intact. The full Montserrat guide sets out that process.

Full repatriation guide for Montserrat

First steps guide

What to do if someone dies in Montserrat

The step-by-step first response guide covers the first 24 hours in Montserrat.

Sources: FCDO: death abroad · FCDO travel advice · Repatriation from Montserrat

Talk to us about cremation in Montserrat

We deal with Registrar General's Office (Civil Registration, Government of Montserrat); Royal Montserrat Police Force and the local funeral directors directly. Tell us what has happened and we will take it from there.